Israeli and US air forces concluded their joint drills over the Red Sea to improve their capabilities in confronting and shooting down drones.
The Israeli Army Radio (Galei Tzaha) reported that the Israeli Air Force and its US counterpart had recently carried out air maneuvers over the Red Sea.
The Radio said the drills were essential to confront the Iranian threat and overcome weaknesses that sometimes allow the unmanned aircraft to be launched at Israeli and other targets in the region, mainly after using them against the Gulf states.
Meanwhile, the outgoing commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), General Kenneth McKenzie, landed in Israel on Wednesday for the last official visit during his tenure to discuss Israeli military activities, focusing on Iran, Syria, and Lebanon.
Sources in Tel Aviv said that this visit was scheduled for the end of this month, but McKenzie arrived ahead of time date "due to recent developments in Europe and the Middle East."
Mckenzie held an extended meeting with Israeli Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi to discuss the ongoing cooperation between the militaries, maintaining regional stability, and operational collaboration.
Sources reported that the General is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Defense Minister Benny Gantz.
The Israeli army command expressed its pleasure to meet with McKenzie, as "he is keen on close cooperation with the Israeli army."
The commander also arrived ahead of time to witness the joint exercises after McKenzie voiced his concerns over Iran's growing capabilities to produce drones and deliver them in large quantities to its military arms and militias throughout the Middle East.
He said that he is currently seeking to manufacture and produce means of deterrence that prevent the use of these drones.
